The announcement was made at the GBCSA conference in October.Group Five Building, as the main contractor, and Green by design, a division of diversified engineering group WSP, are at the forefront of the move towards a cleaner environment and put a huge effort into achieving the standards set by the Green Star – Office rating tool.
As far as possible green construction processes are being practised at the multi-storey office block and on completion the building will be sustained by environmentally friendly methods wherever feasible. This includes the use of gas for cooking in the kitchens, solar heated geysers for showers, no hot water in the wash hand basins and push-through geysers which replace conventional geysers.
The main elements that contributed to the four-star rating include the full economy air conditioning system, the Dali lighting system and energy efficient light fittings, the black water treatment system, the implementation of an efficient waste recycling system, both during construction and when the building is in use, and the fact that the building would achieve a 30% energy saving when compared with a conventional building. GBCSA CEO Nicola Douglas said in a statement that the GBCSA was thrilled to award its first certification.
“The Green Star South Africa rating system represents international best practice. Achievement of a rating is a significant accomplishment and this project has done extremely well to put together a successful submission less than a year after the system was launched in South Africa.”
Nedbank management, who hosted a roof wetting at the building in early November, voiced their approval of the building, calling it a ‘spectacular monument to Nedbank’s confidence.’
